What She Was Saving It For

I drove three hours to help her move out.

We finished by two. I found it at the back

of a plastic bin — one AAA battery in a bag,

sealed, labeled in blue marker: 2009.

Not for a clock. Not for anything named.

Just sealed and kept. I stood under

the fluorescent light and turned it over twice.

She was never sentimental.

She threw out birthday cards the week after.

I don't know what was happening in 2009

that made this worth keeping.

I put it in my coat pocket.

I drove home. I still have it on the counter.

I'm not going to ask her.

I've decided that already.